Ferrari's 2023 NHL Draft Rankings: Mid-Season Top 50

The holidays are approaching, which means one thing: it’s NHL mid-season draft ranking season. 

Your favorite bald NHL draft and prospect analyst is here with my first 2023 NHL draft board of the year. I will be posting a final ranking at the end of the year as well to update this board, but this is the “Ferrari Cut” of the early-mid-season NHL draft calendar.

First, for any new readers to my draft ranking, I feel the need to explain my process quickly. These rankings are my opinion from my own views on each one of these players. If I have not seen a player, I will not rank them. While size on the extreme ends matters, it is not a deciding factor for me on a player. If an undersized player doesn’t let his size hinder him, I have faith that the tools and skills will work out. Additionally, if a player is 6-foot-6 but can’t skate, I am less inclined to value that player because height doesn’t equal talent. Big isn’t always good.

As for traits that I personally value, intelligence, mobility, skill and the ability to chain plays together are what I look for. I find physicality valuable but often overrated in the sense that hitting everything that moves is often a bad decision. Functional physicality is the name of the game. You can hit another player all you want, but if it’s two seconds after a pass is made or you are just hitting a guy with no intention of recovering the puck, it’s useless and often takes you out of the play.

With all of that out of the way, thank you for following along for yet another draft year. I am always open to discussion on these rankings, and I would love to hear your feedback, so reach out to me on Twitter. Without further ado, let’s get to the 2023 draft board.

1. Connor Bedard, C, Regina (WHL), 5-foot-10, 187 pounds

The draft’s top player this season is a borderline generational talent. The numbers that Bedard puts up have kept a weak Regina team afloat even though he is so often a one-man show. Bedard leads the CHL in both goals and points, dominating the WHL offensively. Bedard plays with incredible pace and skill, overwhelming opponents with his otherworldly ability to score. He’s a bit undersized, but Bedard is an absolute force, scoring from all over the ice. He elevates his teammates through his on-puck playmaking and the attention that he draws from opposing squads. Through speed or attraction, he opens the ice up for himself and his linemates.

2. Adam Fantilli, C, Univ of Michigan (NCAA), 6-foot-3, 192 pounds

The most realistic challenger to Bedard for first overall comes from a fellow Canadian but not one playing in the CHL. Adam Fantilli is dominating the NCAA, currently sitting second in the nation in scoring despite missing a few games with an illness. Fantilli can take over a game, blending his power and skill in a way that is extremely rare. The Michigan Wolverines’ star has a wicked shot that can beat goalies from all over the offensive zone as well as a finesse that allows him to dangle and finish from in tight. His physical tools have always been the advantage that allowed him to dominate, but the cerebral intelligence that Fantilli has shown over the last couple of seasons has allowed him to legitimately enter the conversation at first overall.

3. Leo Carlsson, C, Orebro (SHL), 6-foot-3, 194 pounds

Carlsson enters this stage of the draft process as the top European player, and his play has only improved as the season has gone on. Aside from Fantilli, no prospect blends power, skill and intelligence the way Carlsson does. Carlsson is playing against men in the SHL and putting up numbers like Markus Naslund and Nicklas Backstrom in their draft seasons. The top Swede in the ’23 draft has been a highlight machine, routinely going through defenders with skilled moves and then putting them on his back and driving to the net, showcasing the power in his game. He brings many of the same elements to the game as Fantilli, so the race between the two near the top of the class will be entertaining to watch.

4. Zach Benson, LW, Winnipeg (WHL), 5-foot-10, 150 pounds

The WHL is the 2023 NHL draft hotbed, and Zach Benson is just one of the many high-profile names slotting in behind Bedard. Benson is manipulative, intelligent, and lethal with the puck on his stick. His playmaking ability is slick and precise, fitting passes through lanes as they develop. His play off the puck is as good or better than just about anyone in the draft class, with an understanding of what the next step in the process of driving positive play should be. Benson’s defensive positioning is impressive, and his active style of play in combination with lightning-quick processing allows him to disrupt play before breaking out the high-end skill level. That allows him to put up gaudy totals in the WHL, sitting tied for fourth in league scoring.

5. Matvei Michkov, RW, SKA-Neva St. Petersburg (VHL), 5-foot-10, 159 pounds

The dynamic Russian scorer is an insanely entertaining player when he is playing at his best. The top end of Michkov’s game is as good as anyone in the draft class, but the consistency at even strength and willingness to attack the middle of the ice have been issues this season. Michkov is a highly skilled shooter who can score from just about anywhere on the ice. The winger can pull back and rip a shot off the rush or find a pocket of space and pick a corner. When Michkov is trying to play “hero hockey” as he has for much of this season, his effectiveness is heavily depleted. He needs to use his teammates more because when he does, he could compete with any of the five players ahead of him on this list.

6. Will Smith, C, USA Hockey National Team Development Program (USHL), Six-foot, 172 pounds

The top player from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program this season is an electric puck handler who can make opponents look silly at a moment’s notice. Smith is a slick dual-threat attacker who can create offense for himself and his teammates. When Smith is cutting and dashing through the middle of the ice, he draws attention as defenders feel the need to assist their teammates who are generally a step behind and making a desperation play themselves. Once he draws a double team – or even triple team at times – he dishes to linemates, showing deft passing with his forehand and backhand. He’s the driving force on the U-18 squad's top line with Ryan Leonard and Gabe Perreault. Smith makes both players better, allowing them to play in space and to their strengths while he does the heavy lifting and distribution.

7. Andrew Cristall, RW, Kelowna (WHL), 5-foot-10, 165 pounds

If it weren’t for Bedard, it would be Cristall’s name atop the WHL scoring list as the Kelowna Rockets’ winger has filled the scoresheet at ease this season. Shifty playmaking and slick hands are the name of the game with Cristall. He may be undersized, but he is truly one of the most talented playmakers in junior hockey already. There are passing lanes that most players would never see developing, and Cristall has the passing precision to pick them apart. Cristall is cerebral in his approach, looking for lanes to exploit as a skater through the offensive zone to attack the center lane. His skill draws an extra defender while his sense of space and time allows him to distribute the puck all over the ice. His shot is good but not elite, though he scores from high danger areas with regularity. His quick release and understanding of where the scoring areas are allow him to be an effective goal scorer as well.

8. Eduard Sale, LW, Brno (Czechia), 6-foot-1, 168 pounds

Sale is one of the more intelligent players in the draft, diagnosing play and making the smart pass every time. He’s analytical in his approach, anticipating all possibilities for what the next step could be and making the correct decision. Sale’s shot has developed nicely over the last couple of seasons, and he’s become a much better finisher from high-to-medium danger areas of the ice. Sale’s game is very much process oriented and could be an asset on just about any line throughout the lineup. His pace can be an issue at times against men, but he is able to get himself out of trouble thanks to his decision-making. Sale is the kind of player that could have a long NHL career.

9. Axel Sandin Pellikka, RHD, Skelleftea (SHL), 5-foot-11, 181 pounds

The young Swedish defender is a skilled puck mover and agile skater who could be used as a power-play quarterback at the next level. He may be the best passer of any defenseman in the draft. Sandin Pellikka can distribute from the blueline with high efficiency, walking the blueline to part defenders and open space. He shows he’s escapable in his own end when dealing with forecheckers, getting himself free and making a crisp first pass, or taking the ice given to him depending on the opposing team’s neutral zone defensive scheme. There is some work to do in his own end, particularly against bigger and stronger attackers, but his stick work is good, and he engages early on in rush patterns to prevent zone defending.

10. Ryan Leonard, RW, NTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 181 pounds

Leonard is the thunder to Will Smith’s lightning. Leonard is an elite passenger who thrives on using his power and skill to drive the lane with the puck on his stick in the offensive zone. He also has the high-end awareness that allows him to fade in and out of pockets of space for a pass from teammates. Leonard’s shot is high-end, and his off-puck evasion is impressive. The NTDP winger is at his best when attacking downhill, akin to an NFL running back, with his shoulder down and the puck extended out before cutting across the defender's face and finishing smooth in tight. He can flash high-end puck skill, cutting through defenders in space and juking the pants of netminders from time to time as well.

11. Riley Heidt, F, Prince George (WHL), 5-foot-11, 179 pounds

Yet another draft-eligible player sitting in the top 10 of WHL scoring, Heidt has been one of the most interesting and entertaining facilitators in the draft class. He’s consistently looking to exploit holes and show off his passing creativity, throwing pucks cross-body or through a defender's legs as if it’s a routine play. He has a bomb for a one-timer that makes him a legitimate scoring weapon, especially on the power play. His shot forces goalies to stay honest while his playmaking makes them want to cheat. He has to get more consistent defensively, but his offensive potential is what will sell teams on taking the dynamic playmaker.

12. Jayden Perron, RW, Chicago (USHL), 5-foot-8, 157 pounds

Perron is an undersized forward with upper echelon passing ability. He is one of the most efficient and skilled high-low passers in the offensive zone in all junior hockey, passing through layers of defenders with ease. Perron is a shifty skater who can alter his skating path on a dime to open a passing or shooting lane. His shot is good but not great, doing his best work attacking the net with speed and altering his hand angle to make the goaltender's life difficult with the last-minute shooting angle change. He battles through his size deficiency by establishing body position along the boards and using his stick skill to win puck battles.

13. Mikhail Gulyayev, LHD, Omsk (KHL), 5-foot-10, 170 pounds

A skilled offensive blueliner who is excellent on the breakout, Gulyayev must work on his defensive decision-making to truly ascend the draft board. His passing from the offensive blueline is one of his best assets. The skill game he plays with from the back end makes him an enticing candidate to be the first blueliner off the board in a draft that lacks a clear No. 1. The young Russian defender is an instant breakout machine at times, using his quick burst skating to fly through the zone once the puck is on his stick. He is also a quick and deceptive passer in all three zones, using his eyes and feet to direct defenders to a false target before sending a quick and crisp pass where his heart desires.

14. Dimitri Simashev, LHD, Yaroslavl (KHL), 6-foot-4, 201 pounds

Quickly rising the draft boards, the young Russian defender is one of the most polished players coming from overseas this year. Simashev possesses the size and mobility that NHL teams salivate for on the back end while playing a responsible defensive game, leading with his stick while still understanding how to effectively use his frame without taking himself out of the play. He’s the kind of player that often makes you question how he doesn’t have more points because he is such an intelligent player with the puck, consistently making the right play. Simashev displays puck skill and flair from time to time as well. He is confident evading pressure and using his skating as a puck carrier but rarely tries to do too much.

15. Otto Stenberg, C/W, Frolunda (J20 Nationell), 5-foot-11, 181 pounds

The Swedish forward is a dynamic presence who can flash the exciting offensive intellect that makes for a dangerous scorer, but there are moments when his offensive game can wane a bit. Thankfully, there are so many areas of the ice where Stenberg seems to make an impact with his speed and skill. He can be an absolute pest on the forecheck. Understanding that he isn’t the biggest or strongest player, Stenberg will force himself between the puck and the opposing player in a board battle to establish body position. He will outskill and outwork the opposition in the neutral zone to win the puck back and then look to turn play up ice. When he is on his game offensively, he can absolutely dazzle with his skill, or he can thread the needle to teammates throughout the offensive zone. The upside is high with the high-octane forward.

16. Luca Pinelli, RW/C, Ottawa (OHL), 5-foot-9, 161 pounds

The younger brother of Los Angeles Kings’ draft pick Francesco Pinelli is making a name for himself at the OHL level, surpassing what his brother has done, and will look to hear his name called ahead of his brother, the 2021 second rounder. The younger Pinelli is a good skater who uses his edges efficiently to weave through traffic while stickhandling, showcasing an entertaining brand of hockey. His passing ability is what his game is built on as he scans the ice and spots teammates in opportune positions. His goal-scoring has improved this year in a big way due to his willingness to shoot a bit more and his tendency of getting to the right spots consistently in the offensive zone.

17. Dalibor Dvorsky, C, AIK (Allsevskan), 6-foot-1, 201 pounds

Dvorsky is one of the better shooters in the draft class, and that aspect of his game has put him on the map. He has been a star at international events, scoring at will at the U-18 level last year and then playing for the U-20 squad this year. When Dvorsky is actively engaged in the play, he can be an intelligent forechecker and off-puck presence in the offensive zone. He has good hands when he wants to attack defenders as well. The reason for Dvorsky’s low ranking relative to the public consensus is he is far too willing to let the play come to him and set up for a shot or stationary playmaking opportunity, such as the power play. He has a ton of talent but wants to ride shotgun when he should be the driver of the bus.

18. Calum Ritchie, C, Oshawa (OHL), 6-foot-2, 187 pounds

Coming into the year, Ritchie was viewed as one of the top two-way centers in the draft class, with a real shot at challenging for the top five. Almost three months into the season, things haven’t gone as expected. The Generals forward has picked up his offensive production lately, but he’s struggled to stick around a point per game. Ritchie has shown evasive puck skill and a high-end shot in spurts, and his playmaking stems from intelligence, but he just hasn’t been able to find the scoresheet as much as he’d like. A big second half of the season could do him wonders.

19. Quentin Musty, LW, Sudbury (OHL), 6-foot-2, 205 pounds

Musty has been an up-and-down evaluation this year, but the upswing since the coaching change in mid-November has been worth betting on. Musty has a wicked shot, but it hasn’t been what he has made his living on while racking up points this season. His playmaking ability has exploded this season as he has finally taken the next step as an offensive creator, using his teammates at a level he previously seemed disinterested in. Musty is a dual threat who can use his big body to attack down low and his newfound vision to pass out of double teams.

20. Gavin Brindley, C/W, University of Michigan (NCAA), 5-foot-9, 157 pounds

The Michigan Wolverines feature another high-end draft-eligible prospect this season, and although Brindley isn’t putting up the gaudy point totals that Fantilli has thus far, he’s legit. Brindley plays with incredible pace both on and off the puck. The Wolverines’ winger hounds defenders in the offensive zone when they have the puck, disrupting their ability to process and forcing bad passes. His passing ability is what makes him such a dangerous offensive player, creating room and drawing attention with his speed before finding teammates in open space.

21. Oliver Moore, C, NTDP (USHL), 5-foot-11, 176 pounds

The NTDP has a number of highly skilled players, and Oliver Moore slots in as the third member of the team in the first round. Moore has been the team's second-line center for most of the season with Danny Nelson and Will Vote on his wings. Moore is a dual threat who adapts to his teammates extremely well. He isn’t the fastest or biggest player, but he just plays hockey the way it should be played. Moore is a high-paced thinker who changes speeds, alters angles and moves the puck into high danger areas with regularity. Moore is a manipulative attacker, feinting one direction before bursting through space in another or stutter-stepping like an NFL wide receiver running a stop-and-start route.

22. Brayden Yager, F, Moose Jaw (WHL), Six-foot, 165 pounds

Brayden Yager is a high-level finisher who has an unreal release, blistering shots by netminders with ease. When he gets going, he can pick up speed and is a very dangerous player off the rush. Yager is a good passer in motion, creating some of his best chances for teammates as a give-and-go presence on the rush. But there are far too many instances of Yager taking his foot off the gas when he doesn’t have the puck. His defensive commitment can be frightful at times. If Yager was a player who took the play into his own hands more often, he could probably find greater success.

23. Bradley Nadeau, C, Penticton (BCHL), 5-foot-10, 163 pounds

When you watch Nadeau play in the BCHL, you find yourself saying “Stop it, they’re dead already” as he puts up yet another multi-point game and looks dominant in the league. He is a lethal offensive player who thinks the game at a level that isn’t common in the BCHL. Nadeau is a dual-threat attacker, using his agility and skill to get to dangerous scoring areas while surveying the ice and understanding where and when to get his teammates the puck. He is committed to the University of Maine, which is why he is taking the BCHL route, but he very well could be a difference-maker at any level of junior hockey in North America.

24. Alex Ciernik, LW/RW, Sodertalje (Allsvenskan), 5-foot-10, 179 pounds

Ciernik plays with speed and agility, creating havoc all over the ice. Ciernik is closer to Dvorsky among Slovak prospects than some would believe because he plays a much more process-oriented game even if he lacks the elite-level finishing that Dvorsky has. Ciernik puts defenders on their heels, shifting his weight effectively to alter the direction and change his skating path at a moment’s notice. Ciernik loves to thread passes against the grain, skating one way and passing the other to create deception. He must learn to alter speeds a bit more because he can be all gas, no breaks at times, but it’s much easier to reign a player in than fire them up. The dual-threat winger could be a riser in the second half of the year as he gets more comfortable in the Allsvenskan.

25. Nate Danielson, C, Brandon (WHL), 6-foot-1, 185 pounds

The Wheat Kings center is a very refined player who looks like an NHLer already in the way that he processes and plays the game. Danielson is a stud in transition, effectively moving the puck from the defensive side of the ice to the offensive side of the ice. He sees the ice well, passing east to west or through layers towards the net front. Danielson has a good shot and has started using it more often recently, which has been a big reason that his production has seen an uptick. He isn’t the flashiest player and likely isn’t going to produce highlight reel content, but he makes the game look easy and makes excellent decisions.

26. William Whitelaw, RW/C, Youngstown (USHL), 5-foot-9, 172 pounds

After putting up monster numbers with Shattuck St. Mary’s last season, Whitelaw was among the standouts at the Hlinka Gretzky Cup in the summer, putting himself on the map for the 2023 NHL draft. His USHL season has gone well as he has sits right around a point per game for a Youngstown team that sits near the bottom of the standings and hasn’t been able to really find its offensive game. Whitelaw is a shifty and skilled attacking forward who will likely play on the wing at the next level. The undersized forward has undeniable talent with the puck on his stick, and he plays at a high pace. When Whitelaw can get into full-on attack mode, there aren’t many more entertaining players to watch.